Uptown Coffee Company, a Marion-based cafe, has expanded to Cedar Rapids with a new spot at NewBo City Market. The shop, opened in January by co-owners Lexi and Rex Ruskauff, emphasizes a scientific brewing approach for consistent quality. It offers a range of drinks and breakfast items tailored to the market setting.
Uptown Coffee Company launched its flagship location in Marion in June 2020, founded by Lexi and Rex Ruskauff after they lost jobs in music and food during the early COVID-19 pandemic. The couple, previously based in Chicago, drew inspiration from the growing coffee scene in Marion and Cedar Rapids, including spots like Brewhemia and Lightworks. "We both loved coffee. We see a city by that," Lexi said.
The new Cedar Rapids outlet at NewBo City Market opened in January, filling a gap left by the departure of longtime cafe Roasters to an independent site. Rex's experience in Chicago's dining world, including Michelin-starred Schwa and Gilt Bar, shapes their brewing method. They use scales for precise bean weighing and specific ratios, such as 20 grams of espresso yielding 40 grams of liquid in 26 seconds for the house blend. This blend, named "Not Your Granny’s Coffee Shop," is roasted weekly by Rex at Four Arrows Coffee, a company in which they hold a minority stake. "The joke is we kind of are your granny’s coffee shop — we’re for everyone," Lexi noted.
The menu at the NewBo location is streamlined, featuring about one-third of the Marion offerings, with items like breakfast burritos, PB Crunch overnight oats, and paninis. Drink options include three cold brews—blueberry steeped with dehydrated berries and chocolate with toasted cacao nibs—plus house chai and seasonal syrups like spice-cured hazelnut. Larger iced drinks maintain proportional espresso strength to avoid dilution.
Plans include moving to a permanent spot inside NewBo City Market in May, adding fresh-baked pastries, evening "Magic Hour" options, and possibly cold deli selections. The Ruskauffs aim for thoughtful growth, with cold brew now on tap at New Pioneer Co-op and future canned beverages in mind. They view the expansion as a bet on NewBo's revitalization. "Even though we probably would never have moved into a (stand-alone) space in (Cedar Rapids) because there’s so many coffee shops, this space can support one and needs one," Lexi said. Future sights are set on Johnson County, where the couple first met in Iowa City.
The approach prioritizes consistency and community: "We try to make everything very consistent, very easy to replicate," Lexi explained, ensuring uniform quality across baristas. They foster genuine interactions, promising more than a quick transaction.